In 2007 the European Commission (EC) published its Green Paper on the future of the European Research Area (ERA). Through this position paper LERU voices its response, both agreeing and disagreeing with certain elements: for example LERU opposes the idea that there should be centralised coordination and direction of research at European level. LERU reacts by proposing its view on ERA, which should be based on well-articulated interactions between European-level, national and regional processes in a lively research ecology. Furthermore, the paper focuses on the importance of research and the roles of institutions. LERU believes that ERA could be a powerful stimulus for European research, but only if some changes are made.